Sunday, September 30, 2012

A New Jersey pit bull named Patrick, starved and subjected to horrific
abuse before his rescue last month, is being called a "miracle dog"
after he survived being placed in a trash bag and thrown down the
garbage chute of a Newark apartment building.

A maintenance worker removing the garbage to put it in a trash compactor
noticed a bag moving slightly, opened it and discovered the emaciated
dog inside. Patrick -- so named when he survived through the night into
St. Patrick's Day after being found in the garbage chute March 16 -- was
rushed to the local Associated Humane Societies shelter, where
"veterinary staff immediately put him on intravenous fluid," according
to a post on the society's website. "His temperature was so low that it
did not even register on the thermometer. He was covered with heating
pads and blankets. Society vet tech Gina DeSalvo held the pit bull in
her arms -- she soothed him, gave him warmth, comfort and bits of food.
From that moment on, he looked up with gratitude in his eyes to all of
the staff."

Patrick was soon moved to a 24-hour emergency veterinary hospital, where
he received a blood transfusion and other treatment. His condition is
reportedly improving. Kisha Curtis, 27, the woman identified as his
owner at the time of his abuse, has been charged with two counts of
tormenting and torturing a living creature by failing to provide
sustenance and two counts of abandonment, according to the New Jersey
Star-Ledger. She has pleaded not guilty to the cruelty charges and
maintains she didn't throw Patrick down the garbage chute, but has
reportedly admitted that she failed to provide proper care for the
year-old dog, New Jersey Newsroom reported.

"The information we have now indicates the defendant tied the dog to a
railing and left the state of New Jersey for more than a week," acting
Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray said in a statement about the
charges against Curtis, perhaps indicating that another person may have
thrown the dog in the garbage chute.

Patrick's story has gained wide attention; he's pictured above with
flowers sent by an admirer from Alaska, and animal lovers from around
the world have donated online toward his care. A post on the Garden
State Veterinary Specialists website notes that the organization, which
is providing the dog's treatment, has "discontinued accepting donations
directly to our hospital for Patrick. Patrick's care has been assured
through the generosity of animal lovers everywhere." The facility asks
those wishing to help Patrick to instead make a donation in his name to
their local animal care agency.

One animal lover, Rachel Wolf, launched a website called
PatricksLaw.com, to urge supporters to "encourage and pressure your
elected officials to support Patrick's Law™, so all animal abuse will be
treated as a felony with lengthy prison terms and hefty fines imposed
as punishment." A Facebook page for Patrick had more than 80,000 fans as of Wednesday afternoon.

Patrick has made large improvements -- he's gaining weight, wags his
tail and enjoys visits with his human friends -- but still has a long
road to full recovery. He will probably be put up for adoption at some
point in the future. You can follow his progress on the Associated
Humane Societies' website, which posts regular updates, photos and
videos.

Curtis could face up to 18 months in prison, a $3,000 fine and community
service if convicted on all charges, according to the Star-Ledger